6 SECRET Disney World Clubs You Can Join (and 1 You Probably Can’t)

So, you’re looking to get into Disney World’s exclusive clubs?

There are some pretty exclusive areas in Disney World that only a select few have access to. You’ve heard of the Utilidors underneath the Magic Kingdom, the Cinderella Suite in Cinderella Castle, and the exclusive lounges hidden all around Disney World. And to get into some of those places, you’ve got to be a part of some exclusive clubs. So, let’s talk about some of the clubs you can join and the one club you probably can’t.

So, which Disney’s exclusive clubs can you get into and what do you need to know?

D23

D23, The Official Disney Fan Club. The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood.

D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.D23.com; and member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

D23 sponsors a wide variety of events throughout the year to bring Disney fans together. Event pricing ranges from free or for a nominal cost to over a couple hundred dollars. All events require a ticket and depending on the event, some sell out very quickly.

Every two years, starting in 2009, D23 has held a huge, multi-day D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA. Fans from all over the world go there to get their Disney company “fix”. There are three types of memberships: Free, Gold, and Gold Family. Fans can join D23 at www.D23.com.

Disney+

Disney+ is Disney’s digital streaming service. It allows users to stream an extensive collection of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic films, documentaries, shorts, and series on televisions, computers, and smart devices.

Disney+ has thousands of titles — from classic Disney animated movies to big blockbuster films and franchises and brand-new original content.

Currently, Disney+ is $7.99 per month with Ads or $13.99 per month with No Ads. Users can also bundle it with Hulu and ESPN for $14.99 per month with Ads. There are more options available on the website, so you can get more information or subscribe here.

WDW AP

A Walt Disney World Annual Pass is an option for guests who visit the four Walt Disney World theme parks on a fairly frequent basis: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

As with theme park admission tickets for day guests, there are a variety of options for Annual Passes: Guests may choose from the Disney Incredi-Pass, the Disney Sorcerer Pass, the Disney Pirate Pass, and the Disney Pixie Dust Pass.

The Passes offer admission to the four Walt Disney World theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios parks — with varying levels of theme park access, Park Pass Reservation allotments, and benefits based on the type of Pass.

Disney World frequently offers exclusive merchandise to passholders, as well as free gifts such as magnets. Annual passholders also receive discounts on merchandise, food, and hotel stays.

Disneyland Magic Key

Magic Keys are what Disneyland calls their Annual Passes.

©Disney

With a Magic Key, you’ll get access to benefits including park admission, park hopping privileges, 20% off Disney Genie+, 10-20% off merchandise, 10-15% off dining, and discounted or free parking, depending on the pass.

At the moment, all of the Key Passes are sold out. Disney said, “We have stopped sales of new passes at this time to help protect the experience for Magic Key holders and the value those passes provide.” Like annual passholders at Disney World, Disneyland Magic Keyholders can often get access to exclusive merchandise.

Disney Shareholder

Quick disclaimer: We are not financial advisors in any sense of the word. We’re just letting you know about this as one of the exclusive options available to you as a person who loves Disney.

So, if you love Disney and if theme parks aren’t your thing, you could always invest in the company.

You’ll have to do your own research into how, why, and where to invest, but we’ll leave all of that up to you.

DVC

What is the DVC? The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is the Disney version of a vacation ownership program. It was created in 1991 by Disney Vacation Development, Inc., a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.

Unlike a traditional timeshare where owners buy a specific size unit in a set time of year, DVC works on a point system giving owners the flexibility to travel when they want, as often as they want, for however long they want, and in whatever size unit they choose.

A DVC Membership offers the following:

As Disney shares, Members can “Vacation when, where, and how often you want!”
Members stay at Disney Vacation Club accommodations in Disney destinations.
Members enjoy additional access to vacation destinations around the globe as part of the World Collection.
Members can take advantage of savings on things like theme park admission, special event tickets, Disney dining, and park merchandise, as well as invitations to special Member-only events, such as Disney Vacation Club Fireworks Cruises and Moonlight Magic!

Interested guests can find the current starting price on disneyvacationclub.com, and may also call (800) 500-3990 to receive a quote. Note that Closing Costs and Annual Dues apply for Membership.

So, which Disney-exclusive club can you most likely not get into? Welcome to Club 33

Club 33

Club 33 is one of the most exclusive experiences available through Disney. The club itself is invite-only and costs a pretty penny in membership fees. The reason it’s so exclusive is because of Walt Disney’s original vision as a place to entertain VIP guests. It is now a spot where some celebrities purchase memberships and have a respite from crowds to still enjoy the parks on vacation without being swarmed by fans.

While we do not have access to the exact numbers, memberships in Club 33 run into the tens of thousands, and there is a fee to join as well as an annual fee to remain a member of the club.

And just because you might have that kinda cash to throw around, doesn’t mean you can just saunter up to a Cast Member at Guest Relations, toss down a stack of thousand-dollar bills and get it. A waiting list has ranged from 500 to 800 people over the years. And you have to be invited by Disney to join the club.

Club 33 Locations

The club was initially started at Disneyland and remains there to this day. In 2018, Club 33 officially began in Walt Disney World with a Hollywood Studios location. It now exists in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom as well. The rumored price is higher than Disneyland’s, but the benefits are the same.

Each restaurant and lounge is elegantly themed and offers members an exclusive location to relax while in the middle of the park away from the everyday park-goer. Club 33 members also have access to exclusive merchandise, as well a other benefits.

How to Join Club 33

For Disney World Club 33 membership, candidates will need to send an email to: [email protected]. As an exclusive club, they don’t grant access to just anyone who applies, but they do their own homework to ensure that new members will maintain the integrity and the vision of Club 33.